OPCW adopts plan to destroy Syrian chemical weapons

The Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) approved a detailed plan to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons stockpile after a meeting in the Hague. In the plan, Syrian chemical weapons will be transported for destruction outside its territory to ensure their destruction in the "safest and soonest manner," and no later than June 30th, 2014, said the OPCW in a press release late Friday night. Welcoming the Friday decision, (OPCW) Director General Ahmet Umzucu, said "the plan provides a clear roadmap. It sets ambitious milestones to be met by the Government of Syria." "This next phase will be the most challenging and its timely execution will require the existence of a secure environment for the verification and transport of chemical weapons. Continuing international support and assistance for this endeavour will remain crucial," he said. On her part, OPCW-UN Joint Mission Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag expressed sincere appreciation for all the states who supported the mission through both financial and in-kind contributions. "I am currently reaching out to others to consider joining this international effort, which is key to the successful implementation of the Executive Council's decision," said Kaag. The EC's decision distinguishes between destruction actions "in the Syrian Arab Republic" and destruction activities "outside the territory" of Syria and stipulates intermediate destruction milestones leading to the complete elimination of its chemical weapons programme, clarified the press release. The plan envisions the removal of all declared chemical substances and precursors, except for isopropanol, from Syria no later than February fifth, 2014 with the "most critical" chemicals to be transported out of Syria by December 31th, 2013. Syrian declared chemical weapons facilities, will undergo sequenced destruction from December 15th, 2013 to March 15th, 2014 according to a risk-based criterion. With respect to activities outside Syria, the Executive Council decided that the destruction of the priority chemical weapons will be completed by March 31th, 2013 and all other declared chemical materials by June 30th, 2014. However, the press release did not mention in which country the Syrian chemical weapons will be taken to be destroyed.